People

Christmas Eve at the Front

An interesting letter has just been received by Mrs Packer, of Broadclyst, from her husband, Corpl Packer of A Company, 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, who is serving with the Expeditionary Force in Northern France. In the course of a letter he describes a remarkable incident which occurred on Christmas Eve between the British and German trenches.

Golden wedding of Mr and Mrs H A Edwards.

A veteran Bideford bellringer, who was once described as the youngest in the country, celebrated his golden wedding on Sunday.
He is Mr Herbert Allan Edwards, 10 North Road, Bideford. In 1912 Mr Edwards married Miss Marguerite Louise (Daisy) Paddon, his employer’s daughter, at Bideford Parish Church, and the couple still live at the same house from which they were married.
A native of Petrockstowe, Mr Edwards served his apprenticeship as a carpenter and joiner with the firm of Adams and Paddon, and lodged with his employer at North Road.
Both Mr and Mrs Edwards make good use of their TV set. “We should be lost without it” they agreed. Mr Edwards is one of the oldest members of Bideford Conservative Club and is keen supporter of skittles and of Bideford Football Club. He was clerk of the works for the building of the present Bideford Hospital.
There is a family of one son and daughter, and three grandchildren. The son, Mr Gordon Edwards, lives with his family at Abingdon, Berks. The married daughter, Mrs R Leonard, lives with her husband at Walthamstow.
The full Gazette article is dated 4 January 1963.

Mr J H Pilling and Miss C J Short are married in 1947

At St Mary’s Church, Bideford, the wedding has taken place of Mr Joseph Hoyle Pilling, son of Mr and Mrs Pilling, Bacup, Lancashire, and Miss Constance Joan Short, only daughter of Mr and Mrs A E Short, 6 Montague Place, Clovelly Road, Bideford.

The Rector of Bideford (Rev J A Durling) officiated.
The bride was attended by two friends as bridesmaids – Misses June Lewis and Shirley Clarke. The bridegroom’s brother, Mr Leslie Pilling, discharged the duties of best man. Mr Eric Whittaker and Master John Short were ushers.
At the reception, which was held at Tanton’s Hotel, Bideford, guests expressed their good wishes to bride and bridegroom and many congratulatory telegrams and messages were read. Later in the day Mr and Mrs Pilling left for Lewisham for the honeymoon.
The full Gazette article is dated 23 December 1947.

Appledore-Bideford Wedding

The wedding took place at Appledore Congregational Church on November 25 of Mr John Henry Rendle , eldest son of Mr and Mrs W Rendle, 32 Market Street, Appledore, to Miss Vera Ann Cummings, only daughter of Mr and Mrs G H Cummings, 14 Glendale Terrace, Bideford.

The service was conducted by Rev J W Edge and the organist was Mr J Beara.
Given away by her uncle, Mr L Randall, the bride wore a full length gown of white figured brocade and a veil held in place with a headdress of orange blossom. She carried a bouquet of pink carnations and work and silver locket and chain given to her by the bridegroom.
The bride was attended by a chief bridesmaid, Miss Lillian Rendle, and two small bridesmaids, Misses Anne Rendle and Hazel Olde. Duties of best man were carried out by Mr W A Rendle and the ushers were Marine R Fry and Mr G Fowler.
The bride was presented with lucky horseshoe tokens by Misses Susan Hooper and Judith Hooper, and Miss Sheila Cranleigh. Numerous other presents were received including a bedside lamp from the mothers of the children at the Kingsley Road Day Nursery and cutlery from the workmates of the bridegroom at HM Dockyard, Devonport.
After a reception held in the Boys’ Brigade Room, Mr and Mrs Rendle left for their honeymoon in Bristol.

The Gazette article is dated 15 December 1950